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CIP 01.8107 Agriculture

Veterinary Microbiology and Immunobiology

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

Total graduates

30

2025 · 4 schools

International share

13.3%

4 international students

Bachelor's degrees

21

0.0% international

Master's degrees

2

0.0% international

Overview

Veterinary Microbiology and Immunobiology is a specialized field that focuses on the study of microorganisms and the immune responses in animals, particularly in veterinary medicine. This discipline combines principles from microbiology, immunology, and veterinary science to understand how pathogens affect animal health, how the immune system responds to these pathogens, and how to develop effective vaccines and treatments.

Students in this program typically delve into the biology of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that can cause diseases in animals. They study the mechanisms of disease transmission and the impact of these diseases on animal populations and public health. Additionally, the program emphasizes the importance of the immune system, exploring how it can be harnessed to protect animals from infectious diseases.

Research in Veterinary Microbiology and Immunobiology is crucial for the development of vaccines that can prevent outbreaks of diseases in livestock and pets, thereby ensuring animal welfare and food safety. Graduates of this program are well-equipped to work in various settings, including veterinary schools, research institutions, governmental agencies, and pharmaceutical companies.

Overall, this field is integral to advancing veterinary medicine, improving animal health, and safeguarding public health by understanding and combating zoonotic diseases—those that can be transmitted from animals to humans. This area of study is increasingly important in today's interconnected world, where animal health directly impacts human health and food security.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2020 to 2025, graduates fell 43% and the international share went from 9.4% to 13.3%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
56.7%
Asian
6.7%
Hispanic
16.7%
Black
0.0%
Other
6.7%
Intl.
13.3%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 4 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.

RankSchoolStateGraduatesInternational
#49 University of Maryland-College Park Maryland 5 3
#55 The Pennsylvania State University Pennsylvania 20 0
#116 Iowa State University Iowa 4 1
— Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks Pennsylvania 1 0

Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.

Related jobs and pay

OccupationUS employmentMean hourly wageMean annual wage
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 221,270 — $147,570
Veterinarians 83,900 $68.60 $142,680
Animal Scientists 3,100 $42.48 $88,350

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2020–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.